India, Oct. 28 -- The Westland Wapiti was a general purpose military airplane that grew out of the practice current prevalent towards the tail end of World War I. At that time, a single type of aircraft was used for multiple roles and tactical duties. In 1927 the RAF floated a requirement for the replacement of the DH 9A under Air Ministry specification 26/27. The Westland Wapiti was the outcome. The Wapiti was a conventional single engine equal span biplane accommodating a pilot and an observer/ air-gunner. It had tandem open cockpits and a fixed main undercarriage plus tail-skid. The forward fuselage was of metal tube structure with aluminum and fabric covering, while the rear fuselage was of fabric covered wooden construction. The wings ...